Electronically addressable microencapsulated ink and display thereof

• US 6,652,075 B2
• Filed: 07/22/2002
• Issued: 11/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: E Ink Holdings Incorporated
• Original Assignee: E Ink Holdings Incorporated
• Inventors: Jacobson, Joseph M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gordon, Raquel Yvette
• Application Number:
  US10/200,571
• Publication Number:
  US 20030037702A1
• Time in Patent Office: 491 Days
• Field of Search: 347/55, 347/151, 347/120, 347/141, 347/154, 347/103, 347/11, 347/159, 347/127, 347/128, 347/131, 347/125, 347/158, 399/271, 399/290, 399/292, 399/293, 399/294, 399/295
• US Class Current: 347/55
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/01 Ink jet
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/02 generating a continuous ink jet
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2202/04 Heads using conductive ink
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/4076 printing on rewritable, bistable "electronic paper" by a focused electric or magnetic field
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 20/00 Nanooptics, e.g. quantum optics or photonic crystals
• CPC Class Codes: C09D 11/30 Inkjet printing inks
• CPC Class Codes: C09D 11/50 Sympathetic, colour changing or similar inks
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/026 based on the rotation of particles under the influence of an external field, e.g. gyricons, twisting ball displays based on orientable dipolar particles G02F1/172; based on electrophoresis G02F1/167
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133305 Flexible substrates, e.g. plastics, organic film
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13336 Combining plural substrates to produce large-area displays, e.g. tiled displays
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1334 based on polymer dispersed liquid crystals, e.g. microencapsulated liquid crystals
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13439 characterised by their electrical, optical, physical properties; materials therefor; method of making
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/167 by electrophoresis
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/16757 Microcapsules
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2202/28 Adhesive materials or arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G04B 47/00 Time-pieces combined with other articles which do not interfere with the running or the time-keeping of the time-piece clockwork cases for special purposes G04B37/12; clocks with magnifying glass built in the face G04B39/00; time-pieces in which parts or cases produce special effects, e.g. aesthetic effects, G04B45/00, particularly with inscriptions or pictures moved by hand G04B45/003, with specially shaped cases or parts G04B45/0069; combination of writing or drawing implements with devices for indicating time B43K29/087; combined with cameras, projectors, or photographic printing apparatus G03B29/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1446 display composed of modules, e.g. video walls
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/147 using display panels
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 9/372 the positions of the elements being controlled by the application of an electric field
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2380/04 Electronic labels
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/097 : Inks comprising nanoparticles and specially adapted for being sintered at low temperature H05K1/095 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/105 : by conversion of non-conductive material on or in the support into conductive material, e.g. by using an energy beam
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/1241 : by ink-jet printing or drawing by dispensing
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 10/46 : Field-effect transistors, e.g. organic thin-film transistors [OTFT] H10K10/43 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 10/462 : Insulated gate field-effect transistors [IGFETs]
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 85/30 : Coordination compounds
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 85/60 : Organic compounds having low molecular weight H10K85/10 - H10K85/50 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31855 : Of addition polymer from unsaturated monomers

Abstract

We describe a system of electronically active inks which may include electronically addressable contrast media, conductors, insulators, resistors, semiconductive materials, magnetic materials, spin materials, piezoelectric materials, optoelectronic, thermoelectric or radio frequency materials. We further describe a printing system capable of laying down said materials in a definite pattern. Such a system may be used for instance to: print a flat panel display complete with onboard drive logic; print a working logic circuit onto any of a large class of substrates; print an electrostatic or piezoelectric motor with onboard logic and feedback or print a working radio transmitter or receiver.

Claims

1. A microencapsulated contrast media system comprising a plurality of individual cells, at least one of said plurality of individual cells filled with an electronically addressable contrast media, wherein said contrast media comprises a polymer-building block or a cross-linking agent adapted to form a solid layer at an interface of said contrast media.

2. The microencapsulated contrast media system of claim 1 wherein said contrast media further comprises at least one species of electrophoretic particles.

3. The microencapsulated contrast media system of claim 1 wherein said contrast media further comprises a first species of electrophoretic particles having a first optical property and a second species of electrophoretic particles having a second optical property.

4. The microencapsulated contrast media system of claim 3 wherein said first optical property is different from said second optical property.

5. The microencapsulated contrast media system of claim 3 wherein said first optical property is color black.

6. The microencapsulated contrast media system of claim 5 wherein said contrast media further comprises at least one species of electrophoretic particles.

7. The microencapsulated contrast media system of claim 3 wherein said first and second species are oppositely charged.

8. The microencapsulated contrast media system of claim 1 wherein said contrast media is dispersed in a dielectric solvent.

9. The microencapsulated contrast media system of claim 8 wherein said dielectric solvent is adapted to facilitate bistability of said contrast media.

10. The microencapsulated contrast media system of claim 9 wherein said dielectric solvent comprises a gel or a polymer material.

11. A microencapsulated contrast media system comprising a plurality of individual cells, at least one of said plurality of individual cells filled with an electronically addressable contrast media dispersed in a dielectric solvent, wherein said dielectric solvent is adapted to facilitate bistability of said contrast media.

12. A electrophoretic display comprising a plurality of individual cells, at least one of said plurality of individual cells filled with an electronically addressable contrast media, wherein said contrast media comprises a polymer-building block or a cross-linking agent adapted to form a solid layer at an interface of said contrast media.

13. The electrophoretic display of claim 12 wherein said contrast media further comprises at least one species of electrophoretic particles.

14. The electrophoretic display of claim 12 wherein said contrast media further comprises a first species of electrophoretic particles having a first optical property and a second species of electrophoretic particles having a second optical property.

15. The electrophoretic display of claim 14 wherein said first optical property is different from said second optical property.

16. The electrophoretic display of claim 14 wherein said first and second species are oppositely charged.

17. The electrophoretic display of claim 12 wherein said contrast media is dispersed in a dielectric solvent.

18. The electrophoretic display of claim 17 wherein said dielectric solvent is adapted to facilitate bistability of said contrast media.

19. The electrophoretic display of claim 12 further comprising an electrode layer disposed on top of said plurality of individual cells.

20. A electrophoretic display comprising a plurality of individual cells, at least one of said plurality of individual cells filled with an electronically addressable contrast media dispersed in a dielectric solvent, wherein said dielectric solvent is adapted to facilitate bistability of said contrast media.

21. The electrophoretic display of claim 20 wherein said contrast media further comprises at least one species of electrophoretic particles.

22. The electrophoretic display of claim 20 further comprising an electrode layer disposed on top of said plurality of individual cells.

23. A method for the manufacture of an electrophoretic display comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a radiation-curable substrate;

(b) imagewise exposing said radiation-curable substrate to a radiation source thereby forming a plurality of individual cells in said radiation-curable substrate; and

(c) filling at least one of said plurality of individual cells with an electrophoretic contrast media;

said contrast media comprising a polymer-building block or a cross-linking agent.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein said radiation-curable substrate is flexible.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein said radiation-curable substrate is exposed to a radiation source through a photomask.

26. The method of claim 23 further comprising the step of forming a solid layer at an interface of said contrast media that seals said at least one of said plurality of individual cells.

27. The method of claim 23 further comprising the step of applying a transparent electrode layer on top of said plurality of individual cells.

28. The method of claim 23 wherein said radiation source comprises an ultraviolet light source or a heat source.

29. The method of claim 23 wherein said contrast media phase comprises at least one species of electrophoretic particle.

30. The method of claim 23 wherein said contrast media comprises a first species of electrophoretic particles having a first optical property and a second species of electrophoretic particles having a second optical property.

31. The electrophoretic display of claim 30 wherein said first optical property is different from said second optical property.

32. The electrophoretic display of claim 30 wherein said first and second species are oppositely charged.

33. The method of claim 30 wherein said dielectric solvent is adapted to facilitate bistability of said contrast media.

34. The method of claim 23 wherein said contrast media is dispersed in a dielectric.

35. A method for manufacturing an electrophoretic display comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a liquid suspension, comprising a first species of electrophoretic particles having a first optical property and a means of forming a solid layer;

(b) providing a substrate;

(c) distributing said liquid suspension onto the substrate; and

(d) forming a solid layer on said substrate by exposing said liquid suspension to a stimulus, wherein said solid layer comprises at least part of a cellular structure.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein said substrate is flexible.

37. The method of claim 35, wherein said stimulus comprises a radiation source.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein said radiation source comprises an ultraviolet light source or a heat source.

39. The method of claim 37, wherein said liquid suspension is exposed to said radiation source through a photomask.

40. The method of claim 35, wherein said stimulus comprises addition of a polymer-building block or a cross-linking agent.

41. The method of claim 35, wherein said means of forming a solid layer comprises a polymer-building block, a cross-linking agent, a heat-curable polymer, or a photocurable polymer.

42. The method of claim 35, wherein said liquid suspension is distributed onto said substrate through an aperture.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein said liquid suspension is distributed in a pattern.

44. The method of claim 35 wherein said liquid suspension further comprises a second species of electrophoretic particles having a second optical property.

45. The method of claim 44 wherein said first optical property is different from said optical property.

46. The method of claim 44 wherein said first and second species are oppositely charged.

47. The method of claim 35 wherein the step of distributing said liquid suspension comprises printing.

48. The method of claim 35 wherein said solid layer completely encloses at least part of said cellular structure.

49. The method of claim 35 further comprising the step of forming a solid layer at an interface of said liquid suspension that seals said at least part of said cellular structure.

50. The method of claim 35 wherein said liquid suspension further comprises a dielectric solvent.

51. The method of claim 50 wherein said dielectric solvent is adapted to facilitate bistability of said liquid suspension.